Tuesday, August 12, 2014

SUPER BOOK BLAST, REVIEW, & GIVEAWAY: To Tempt an Angel by Patricia Grasso



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Patricia will be awarding a free eBook from Lachesis Publishing to a randomly drawn winner via the rafflecopter at the end of this post during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

NOTE: this book is FREE everywhere!  Buy links are at the end of this post -- why not download your own copy today?


Book Blurb:
Angelica Douglas has no idea that she’s the Countess of Melrose. What she does know is that she needs to support her family as a card shark, while finding a way to seek revenge on the men who ruined her father and sent her family spiralling down into poverty.

Robert Campbell, Marquess of Argyll, heir to the Duke of Inverary, has no idea who Angelica truly is. He just wants to watch over her and make her his mistress.

Angelica thinks Robert is simply a dashing rogue who is far too dangerous for her peace of mind. Robert thinks Angelica is an angel except when she’s being a pain in the behind.

When Robert finds out that his own father may have been one of the men who ruined Angelica’s family, he vows to keep a careful eye on her. When Angelica finds out that Robert’s father may have been one of the men responsible, she vows to stay as far away from Robert as possible. But when danger threatens, both Robert and Angelica must face the truth and let fate take the upper hand.


Enjoy an excerpt:

Angelica tossed the dice. A six and a one showed up.

“I’ll pass,” she announced, dropping the one hundred and twenty-eight pounds into her pocket.

Afraid to look at her victim, Angelica walked away without another word. She hadn’t gone more than a few feet when someone grabbed her arm. She whirled around, ready to defend herself.

“May I escort you home?” Robert asked, his smile charming.

Angelica was instantly suspicious. Did he want to steal her winnings? Or was his intention even more sinister? He was incredibly handsome, but her family came first. They depended on her for their survival.

“No, thank you,” she refused.

“You need protection,” he told her. “You carry a great deal of money.”

“Who will protect me from you, sir?” Angelica asked, arching a perfectly shaped brow at him.

“You don’t trust me?” Robert asked, giving her a lopsided grin.

“I trust no one,” she told him. “Especially men I don’t know.”

“We are merely friends who haven’t known each other very long,” Robert argued. “I let you cheat me out of a hundred and twenty-eight pounds. The least you can do is allow me to escort you home.”

“I never cheat,” Angelica insisted, and walked away.

“I suppose you don’t lie either,” he called.

Angelica quickened her pace. She squelched the urge to turn around to see if he was following her.




My Review:

To Tempt and Angel by Patricia Grasso grabbed my attention from the beginning with its colorful characters and interesting plot. Robert draws me in right away with his charm. He’s obviously a rogue who needs a woman to tame him. Angelica is the perfect mix of hard and soft, and she has a sweet touch of innocence that makes her a great heroine. The mystery of what happened to Angelica’s formerly wealthy, aristocratic family sets the pace for the novel, and piques the reader’s interest right from the start. You want to find out exactly what caused her family’s downfall, and also what exactly her plans for getting even entail. The sexual tension between Robert and Angelica is palpable, and it extends throughout the entire novel. When those two are in a room, you can feel the tension through the pages! The sex scenes are also HOT! HOT! HOT! It’s been awhile since I’ve read a good sex scene, and Ms. Grasso definitely accomplishes that in this book!

I enjoyed reading this book, and the only complaints I have are that the plot is a little out there. Her obsession with getting even with the men who she feels are completely responsible for her father’s downfall is a little annoying at times. I mean, her father was a drunk, so he was partially responsible for his own issues. She chooses to put all the blame on these other wealthy families, and focus on revenge, rather than bringing her family back to what it once was. Also, the fact that all of these men are willing to jump on her crazy train and help her get revenge against families who have never done anything to them is a little strange to me. However, it is fiction, and although her fixation on revenge at times makes her unlikable, overall it is a good read that I definitely recommend to lovers of historical romance.


I give To Tempt and Angel a FOUR out of FIVE stars.

Author Bio: 
I'm a dog person. Who lives with 10 cats. Get the picture?

My first brush with the romance genre happened in my high school junior year. I discovered Gone With the Wind and hid it behind my American history book to read during class. (The Civil War is American history.) The ambiguous ending left me dissatisfied, though. Rhett and Scarlet needed a happily-ever-after. Believing in happily-ever-afters positively screams romantic-at-heart.

On the other hand, I love murder and mayhem as much as happily-ever-after. My usual television fare is fiction and nonfiction crime shows, not love stories. Which accounts for the mysteries I sneaked into my historical romances. Now I'm trying my hand at writing a humorous mystery, sans historical and sans emphasis on the love interest. I even prepared for my mystery-in-progress by attending the local NRA's Pistol School. Shooting pistols is great fun. I adore the .22 semiautomatics.

After graduating from high school without distinction, I earned both Bachelor and Master degrees at a state college. Again, without distinction. I held several part-time jobs during my college days: file clerk in an insurance company, long-distance telephone operator, kimono-wearing waitress in a Japanese restaurant.

And then I began my teaching career, eighteen years in the eighth grade and thirteen years at the high school. Weary with the same old routine, I decided I needed a creative outlet. So I decided to write a romance novel but only managed to talk about writing one. After five years of listening to me, a friend said to stop talking and start writing.

So I did.

I made every mistake known to man. Blunder would be a more appropriate word, but I did learn using the trial and error method. As well as studying the works of authors I admired.

After five years of writing for nothing but love, I sold my first novel. Since then, I've sold eighteen novels and won several awards--- National Readers' Choice Award New England Readers' Choice Award, Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice and KISS Awards, B. Dalton and Bookrak Awards for best-selling author. My novels have been translated into fifteen languages and sold in twenty countries.

If I had my life over, would I become a writer? Nope. I would enjoy being a Victoria Secret model. Perhaps in my next incarnation I won't be too old, too short, or too unphotogenic.

www.patriciagrasso.com

https://www.facebook.com/patricia.grasso.902

Buy this Book: 

BN http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-tempt-an-angel-patricia-grasso/1005102935?ean=9781927555071

Kindle http://www.amazon.com/To-Tempt-Angel-Book-Douglas-ebook/dp/B00A2WZ1IC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401151486&sr=8-1&keywords=to+tempt+an+angel

Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/to-tempt-an-angel-2

iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/ca/book/to-tempt-angel-book-1-douglas/id576045599?mt=11

 GIVEAWAY:

Patricia will be awarding a free eBook from Lachesis Publishing to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

COVER REVEAL: Twelve by T.M. Franklin


cool TWCS logo
PRESENTS. . .

A Cover Reveal

for
Twelve
by T.M. Franklin

Twelve-3D-Paperback
Release Date: October 9, 2014
SUMMARY
Twelve-3D-BookstackAva Michaels is gifted, powerful, and—whether she likes it or not—part of a plot to take over the world. It’s only been a few months since Ava Michaels discovered she has ties to an ancient people living in the shadows of the human world, despite their superior gifts and abilities. A select few don’t like hiding, however, and think it’s time to take control. Now Ava’s caught up in a conspiracy in the works before she was even born. In fact, her birth was an integral part of the plan. She’s one of the Twelve, the most powerful Race ever created, and they were created for a purpose. Ava, however, doesn’t like being told what to do. All she wants is to start a new life with Caleb Foster, the Protector who once put his own life at risk to save hers. Before they can even think about that, however, they need to figure out exactly what the Twelve and their power-hungry leader are up to—and find a way to stop them. Along the way, they’ll have to forge alliances with former enemies, seek out powerful new friends, and infiltrate the heavily fortified enemy stronghold in an attempt to get some answers. In the end, Ava must decide if her destiny lies in her DNA or in her conscience. If she can turn her back on what she was born to do and do what is right. If she will save the ones she loves or save the world. Or if her ties to the Twelve mean she has no choice at all. She sat up suddenly and grabbed Caleb’s hand. “Do you feel that?” “What?” He instinctively checked the mirrors, but there was nobody behind them. “Someone . . .” Ava’s eyes glazed over. “Someone’s coming. Fast.” Caleb stepped on the gas, searching the horizon. “Who? Anyone familiar?” “What’s happening?” Sophie asked. Ava shook her head. “I can’t tell. Not yet anyway. You think it’s Protectors?” Caleb’s jaw tightened. “Or Rogues.” “You think they know?” Ava glanced at Sophie. “We don’t know. Not for sure.” “Would somebody please tell me what’s going on?” Sophie shouted from the backseat. The temperature in the car dipped as frost formed along the edges of the windows. “You’ve got to calm her down,” Caleb muttered, taking a turn too fast and swerving to correct. “Now.” Ava didn’t argue, instead scrambling over the seat to take the girl’s hand. “Sophie, listen to me. You need to stay calm, okay? Try to breathe with me.” “But—” “I’ll explain everything, but first you need to calm down. You see what’s happening?” Through the mirror, Caleb saw her glance up at the roof of the car as snowflakes began to drift through the interior. “I . . . I don’t understand,” Sophie murmured. “What’s—why is it snowing?” “It’s you,” Ava said quietly. “You’re upset, and your gift is reacting.” “I don’t understand what’s happening to me.” Sophie choked on a sob, and Caleb felt the telltale prickle of another Race signature along the edges of his consciousness. “I feel them now,” he said, sitting taller in the seat and leaning forward as if willing the car to go faster. Ava didn’t respond but remained focused on Sophie. Caleb felt Ava’s gift and knew she was letting it flow into the girl a little, helping calm her. “We’ll help you.” Ava sounded so calm and soothing. “We’ll help you learn to control it, but for right now, you need to calm down. Breathe with me, okay?” Sophie nodded and swallowed tears as she tried to match Ava’s inhale and exhale. The snow stopped. “That’s good.” Ava nodded encouragingly. “Keep breathing. I need you to stay calm. Someone’s coming, and I’m guessing they’re after you.” Sophie’s breath caught, and the ice gathering on the dashboard cracked. “It’s okay,” Ava hurried to say. “Keep breathing. Stay calm. We’re going to keep you safe.” Sophie gripped Ava’s hand, but she kept breathing slowly in and out. “How?” Ava smiled. “You asked what I could do? Well, I’m about to show you.”

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TM_Franklin   T.M. Franklin started out her career writing nonfiction in a television newsroom. Graduating with a BA in Communications specializing in broadcast journalism and production, she worked for nine years as a major market television news producer, and garnered two regional Emmy Awards, before she resigned to be a full-time mom and part-time freelance writer. Her first published novel, MORE, was born out of a challenge to write a novel in thirty days issued during National Novel Writing month. MORE was well received, selected as a finalist in the 2013 Kindle Book Review Best Indie Book Awards, and won the Suspense/Thriller division of the Blogger Book Fair Reader’s Choice Awards.   In addition to MORE and its sequels, The Guardians and TWELVE, Franklin has penned the Amazon best-selling short stories, Window and A Piece of Cake. Her new YA romance How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You is Franklin’s first love story without traditionally recognized paranormal or fantasy elements. Although . . . T. M. is the first to argue that love is the best kind of magic.


CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR
 

Sunday, August 10, 2014

GIVEAWAY: Win a $100 Sephora Gift Card!

$100 Sephora Gift Card Giveaway~Enter Today~Ends 8/23

Sephora Gift Card

This is an Amazing Giveaway! Who does not want a $100 Sephora Gift Card to spend ANY way that you want? Sephora carries the BEST brands and they are awesome in store or online! I cannot even begin to explain the things on my list, If I was to receive a Sephora Gift Card valued at $100!!!

Do You Feel The Same? Then Enter To Win This Fabulous Giveaway!

Sephora Gift Card #2

CLICK HERE TO VISIT SEPHORA

Do You Follow Sephora? Well Check It Out!
1 Lucky Winner Will Receive a $100 Sephora Gift Card! Perfect For Me ~ How About You?
Giveaway Will Run from 8/11 @ 12AM EST until 8/23 @12AM EST


Sephora Gift Card #3

AND NOW THE GIVEAWAY!!!!


I, Deliciously Savvy received compensation to post and announce this giveaway for La Mode 365 . Deliciously Savvy is in no way responsible for the awarding of the $100 Sephora Gift Card to the winner. La Mode 365 is sponsoring this event and will be completely responsible for the awarding and shipping of such gift card directly to the winner.

The winner will be selected randomly via Rafflecopter and the winner has 48 hours to respond. If winner does not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be randomly selected.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

SEX SCENE READINGS on YOUTUBE: Erika Mailman Author of Woman of Ill Fame

Some of you may remember my hosting Erika Mailman on her Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tour for her novel Woman of Ill Fame back in December. The book is about Nora Simms, a Gold Rush prostitute who lands in San Francisco and has to fight her way around a serial killer targeting the "soiled doves"--a killer who seems to be taunting her with each new victim. I absolutely loved Woman of Ill Fame, and would recommend it to anyone!

Erika has recently released a youtube video showing her reading a bit of comic relief from the book. The brief clip was part of the infamous Sex Scenes Readings at the Historical Novels Society conference in St. Petersburg, Florida. The readings are always hosted by Diana Gabaldon of Outlander fame, and provide an evening of salacious fun for conference attendees.

If you'd like to take a look, click here.



Buy This Book:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

SEPHORA GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY!

Blogger Opportunity for a $100 Sephora Gift Card!

Sephora Gift Card

This is an Amazing Giveaway! Who does not want a $100 Sephora Gift Card to spend ANY way that you want? Sephora carries the BEST brands and they are awesome in store or online! I cannot even begin to explain the things on my list, If I was to receive a Sephora Gift Card valued at $100!!!

Do You Feel The Same? Then Sign Up to Co-Host this fabulous event!

Sephora Gift Card #2

Everyone receives 2 FREE links ( Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Bloglovin', Networked Blogs, Instagram, Tumblr, & Linky) JUST for Posting This Announcement Post On Your Website and Agreeing to Promote 3 to 4 Times a Week on Facebook & Twitter!!! How awesome is that?


So Are You Interested? Then Post That Announcement and Sign Up Today! You would be crazy not to :)


SIGN UPS CLOSE ON 8/09

Giveaway Will Run from 8/11 @ 12AM EST until 8/23 @12AM EST
All HTML Materials will be sent out by 8/10 @ 9PM the latest.

Sephora Gift Card #3

Monday, August 4, 2014

PROMO BLITZ & GIVEAWAY: The Roman Mongrel by Mary Bernsen



The Roman Mongrel – Mary Bernsen
Historical Fiction
Date Published: July 1, 2014

 photo add-to-goodreads-button_zpsc7b3c634.png
  
For Princess Chiomara, freedom from the Romans isn't good enough. She will have her captor's head.

Loosely based on the true story of the war between Rome and Galatia, The Roman Mongrel is focused on the wife of a Galatian chieftain. Princess Chiomara is a feisty noblewoman who carries herself with incredible passion and bravery - even after she is captured by the Roman army.

Captivated by her beauty and unique spirit, the centurion that oversees her care is unable to resist his lust for her. After an opportunity for freedom presents itself, Chiomara faces two options: to flee, or to seek revenge.

The Roman Mongrel is a new adult historical fiction with a rich mix of war and female empowerment, sprinkled with a touch of romance.




About the Author


Mary Bernsen is a southwest Florida native currently living in Punta Gorda with her two beautiful children and a third, much larger child that she affectionately calls husband. She  spends her days creating characters on the good side of twenty-five because she is in serious denial about the fact that she is now on the bad side of it. She has a passion for fantasy of any kind along with historical fiction. If she isn't having conversations with her made-up friends, you can usually find her clipping coupons or out on the boat enjoying the muddy waters of Peace River (as long as it isn't below 80 degrees).



Author Links




Buy Links



GIVEAWAY

$10 Amazon Gift Card



 photo readingaddictionbutton_zps58fd99d6.png

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BLOG TOUR & Ipad Mini GIVEAWAY: Tempted by His Touch: A LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET of Dukes, Rogues, & Alpha Heroes Historical Romance Novels

About the Book:

A boxed set with ten sizzling historical romances from ten bestselling historical romance authors. Fall in love with fabulous tales of intrigue, suspense, wit, and passion featuring dukes, rogues, alpha heroes…and the women who can’t resist them. JUST 99 CENTS from July 27 - Sept. 21---then it disappears FOREVER!

Scoundrel Ever After by Darcy Burke - Once upon a time there was a very bad boy who met a very nice girl....

Lady of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle - Educating a man in the art of love takes time. Lots of it.

Sonata for a Scoundrel by Anthea Lawson - Passion and secrets simmer against the glittering backdrop of 19th century musical celebrity.

To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield by Bronwen Evans - What's a lady to do when a notorious rake wins her estate in a game of cards?

Undone by Lila DiPasqua – One steamy, emotionally charged retelling of Rapunzel…Rescuing this beauty from the ‘tower’ is only the beginning…

The Problem with Seduction by Emma Locke - Elizabeth Spencer needs a man. She doesn't need to like him—because while she needs a man, she doesn't particularly want one.

A Dangerous Invitation by Erica Monroe - Daniel O'Reilly returns to win back Kate Morgan’s heart and prove he's innocent of murder.

Once Upon a Duke by Eva Devon - A widow looking to get seduced. A duke more than willing to oblige.

Great & Unfortunate Desires by Gina Danna - A marquis with a guilty past takes a bride in a world where love is fatal.

Dark Surrender By Erica Ridley - Trapped in darkness…. Their passion burns bright!





About Darcy Burke:
A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her devoted husband, their two great kids, and two Bengal cats. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. She’s also a fair-weather runner, and her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.


About Bronwen Evans:
USA Today Bestselling Author Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes.
Her debut Regency romance, Invitation to Ruin won the RomCon Readers’ Crown Best Historical 2012, and was an RT Reviewers’ Choice Nominee Best First Historical 2011. Her first self-published novella, To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield, was a FINALIST in the Kindle Book Review Indie Romance Book of the Year 201,2 and a finalist in the RomCon Readers’ Crown Best Historical 2013. Her first contemporary released December 2012, The Reluctant Wife, won the RomCon Readers’ Crown Best Category 2013.

Newsletter: sign up at the top of Bronwen’s website

About Lila DiPasqua:
Lila DiPasqua is a multi-published, national bestselling author of historical romance with heat. Her novels are published by Penguin/Berkley, as well as having self-published works.
She is best known for her critically acclaimed Fiery Tales series. Her books have been featured on Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs.
She lives with her husband and three children in Canada and is a firm believer in the happily-ever-after.

Newsletter: sign up on the sidebar of Lila’s website

About Delilah Marvelle:
Delilah Marvelle is the winner of the Reviewer's Choice for Best Sensual Historical Romance of the Year and had Booklist name her historical romance 'Forever and a Day' one of the TOP 10 Romances of the year. When she isn't writing, she's digging through inappropriate research books that include anything in history having to do with courtesans, brothels, sexual contraptions that were never properly used and other fascinating forms of dirty history that didn't make it into college textbooks. She includes all of her research in her books to ensure countless hours of entertainment and continues to take pride in knowing more about dirty history than most people feel comfortable with.


About Erica Ridley:
Erica Ridley learned to read when she was three, which was about the same time she decided to be a writer when she grew up.
She is the author of three Gothic romances, Too Wicked to Kiss, Too Sinful to Deny and Dark Surrender, the vampire romance "Never Been Bitten" in the paranormal romance anthology Born To Bite, contemporary paranormal romances Charmed and Midwinter Magic, and the holiday fantasy romance Let It Snow.
When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.


About Emma Locke:
Emma Locke is a writer and engineer living in the Pacific Northwest, where she loves hiking with her dog, hot yoga and riding out the annual 330 days of rain. Hiking and yoga give her time to plot, the lack of sun makes for perfect writing weather, and as for her day job, the dichotomy seems to work: her analytic side ensures her passionate, satisfying love stories don't mulch under her bed, and her author side forces her to keep writing more.

Newsletter: sign up at the bottom of Emma’s website

About Gina Danna:
Gina has spent the better part of her life reading. History has been her love and she spent numerous hours devouring historical romance stories, dreaming of writing one of her own. Years later, after receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees in History, writing academic research papers and writing for museum programs and events, she finally found the time to write her own stories of historical romantic fiction.
Now, under the supervision of her three dogs and three cats, she writes amid a library of research books, with her only true break away is to spend time with her other life long dream – her Arabian horse – with him, her muse can play.


About Erica Monroe:
Erica Monroe is a bestselling author of emotional, suspenseful romance. Though she has a Bachelor's degree in writing, she's been a secretary, a barista, and a retail assistant. Now Erica spends her days crafting lovable rogues and feisty heroines for her historical and new adult series. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina, and the Beau Monde Regency Romance chapter. When not writing, she is a chronic TV watcher, sci-fi junkie, lover of pit bulls, and shoe fashionista. She lives in the suburbs of North Carolina with her husband, two dogs, and a cat.

Newsletter: sign up on Erica’s website sidebar

About Eva Devon:
Author of sexy and laugh out loud funny Regencies, I'm also Maire Claremont, creator of dark and angsty Victorians!


About Anthea Lawson:
Anthea Lawson, called "a new star of Historical Romance" by Booklist, has won readers with her combination of spicy love scenes and elegant prose. Her first novel, PASSIONATE, was a Best First Book finalist in the prestigious Romance Writers of America RITA awards.
Anthea also writes award-winning YA Urban Fantasy under the pen name Anthea Sharp.





FACEBOOK PARTY
Wednesday, July 30th
6PM-11PM EST
Chat with the authors and win prizes!

Also, be sure to like each author’s Facebook page so you’ll see the WEEKLY GIVEAWAYS they have going on while Tempted by His Touch is on sale. You don’t want to miss an exciting moment of this extravaganza!



BUY LINKS:

iTunes: coming soon





Tour Schedule:

July 27:
Embracing Romance
Love Historicals
Buried Under Romance
For The Love of Bookends

July 28:
Dashing Duchesses
What I’m Reading
Love Saves The World
Rakes & Rascals

July 29:
Hawt Reads
Doing Some Reading
Tears of Crimson
Romancing Rakes For The Love of Romance

July 30:
Romance Reader Girl
History Hoydens
Mary Gramlich

July 31:
Adria’s Romance Reviews
Swanangel15s Book Reviews
Historical Romance Lover
What’s A Nice Girl Like You Doing On A Blog Like This?
  
August 1:
Bookworm 2 Bookworm
Rookie Romance
Book Obsessed Chicks
Pretty Girls Read Books

August 2:
Eskimo Princess Book Reviews
Ramblings From This Chick
Book Loving Mamas
Historical Fiction Obsession






GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Grand prize: iPad Mini (16GB) with surprise bonus print books [Open to US/CA]



a Rafflecopter giveaway